Phospholipids

What are the two main components of cell membranes?

Phospholipids and proteins.

What are the chemical components of phospholipids?

Glycerol bonded to two fatty acids and a phosphate group.

What property do the fatty acids in phospholipids possess?

They are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water and polar molecules.

What is the nature of the phosphate group in phospholipids?

It is hydrophilic, which means it attracts water and polar molecules.

Describe the structure of a phospholipid.

It has a hydrophilic 'head' and two hydrophobic 'tails'.

What happens when isolated phospholipids are placed on water?

They form a monolayer with hydrophilic heads in the water and hydrophobic tails sticking out into the air.

How do phospholipids arrange themselves in a watery environment, like in cells?

They arrange in a bilayer with hydrophilic heads next to the water on both sides and hydrophobic tails in the center.